It was this solitary reflection and industry which assuredly contributed so largely to form the gigantic minds of the Seldens, the Camdens, the Cokes, and others of that vigorous age of genius.  When Coke fell into disgrace, and retired into private life, the discarded statesman did not pule himself into a lethargy, but on the contrary seemed almost to rejoice that an opportunity was at length afforded him of indulging in studies more congenial to his feelings.  Then he found leisure not only to revise his former writings, which were thirty volumes written with his own hand, but, what most pleased him, he was enabled to write a manual, which he called Vade Mecum, and which contained a retrospective view of his life, since he noted in that volume the most remarkable occurrences which happened to him.  It is not probable that such a MS. could have been destroyed but by accident; and it might, perhaps, yet be recovered.

“The interest of the public was the business of Camden’s life,” observes Bishop Gibson; and, indeed, this was the character of the men of that age.  Camden kept a diary of all occurrences in the reign of James the First; not that at his advanced age, and with his infirm health, he could ever imagine that he should make use of these materials; but he did this, inspired by the love of truth, and of that labour which delights in preparing its materials for posterity.  Bishop Gibson has made an important observation on the nature of such a diary, which cannot be too often repeated to those who have the opportunities of forming one; and for them I transcribe it.  “Were this practised by persons of learning and curiosity, who have opportunities of seeing into the public affairs of a kingdom, the short hints and strictures of this kind would often set things in a truer light than regular histories.”

A student of this class was Sir Symonds D’Ewes, an independent country gentleman, to whose zeal we owe the valuable journals of parliament in Elizabeth’s reign, and who has left in manuscript a voluminous diary, from which may be drawn some curious matters.[104] In the preface to his journals, he has presented a noble picture of his literary reveries, and the intended productions of his pen.  They will animate the youthful student, and show the active genius of the gentlemen of that day.  The present diarist observes, “Having now finished these volumes, I have already entered upon other and greater labours, conceiving myself not to be born for myself alone,

    “Qui vivat sibi solus, homo nequit esse beatus,
        Malo mori, nam sic vivere nolo mihi.”

He then gives a list of his intended historical works, and adds, “These I have proposed to myself to labour in, besides divers others, smaller works:  like him that shoots at the sun, not in hopes to reach it, but to shoot as high as possibly his strength, art, or skill will permit.  So though I know it impossible to finish all these during my short and uncertain life, having already entered into the thirtieth year of my age, and having many unavoidable cares of an estate and family, yet, if I can finish a little in each kind, it may hereafter stir up some able judges to add an end to the whole: